Tulsa's Sheriff Takes a Bold Step in the Spat Over Inmate Costs

Tulsa’s Sheriff says, starting July 1st, he won’t accept any inmates from municipalities who are not formally charged, unless he’s paid for holding them. It’s the latest round in the battle over pay for municipal inmates in the Tulsa County jail. Sheriff Stanley Glanz has notified area cities his office won’t accept inmates on open state charges unless agreed to by a memorandum of understanding or contract. He claims the jail isn’t being fairly compensated for the cost of holding inmates.

A letter stating the new policy has been sent to almost a dozen municipalities including Tulsa, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, and Sand Springs.